Solve a - b: Subtracting a Positive Number from a Negative Number

a is a negative number.

b is a positive number.

Therefore, a - b is....?

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1

Understand the problem

a is a negative number.

b is a positive number.

Therefore, a - b is....?

2

Step-by-step solution

We test using an example:

We define that

a = -1

b = 2

Now we replace in the exercise:

-1-(2) = -1-2 = -3

In this case, the result is negative!

 

We test a case where the value of b is less than a

We define that

a = -2

b = 1

 

-2-(1) = -2-1 = -3

 

In this case, the result is again negative.

Since it is not possible to produce a case where a is greater than b (because a negative number is always less than a positive number),

The result will always be the same: "negative", and that's the solution!

3

Final Answer

Negative

Practice Quiz

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What will be the sign of the result of the next exercise?

\( (-2)\cdot(-4)= \)

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